Dinner – Ozumo – December 18, 2019 – Santana Row – San Jose, CA.

This is a very special place, right in the center of The Santana Row shopping area. It’s all very chic and elegant, so this is the perfect place to have some top notch Japanese food that covers all its bases.

My contact that arranged my tasting was Andrew Fuentes, he was so charming and accommodating, I just can’t say enough about his knowledge and lovely cuisine. He is bay Area royalty, having worked at Aqua in San Francisco, and learning from the best restaurateurs. He also worked at Cezanne, and was mentored by George Chen. He is the shining star amongst all the other spectacular things about Ozumo.

Ozomu has 2 locations one in San Francisco and one in San Jose. In February of 2018 Andrew did somewhat of a reboot for the restaurant. He added music, and put in a new high-end sound system, and different menu items, with the emphasis on small-shared plates. What ever he did he made a huge new success out of this establishment. Helping out is Executive Chef Jimmy Schmizu, who was the chef at their San Francisco location, but brought to Santa Row with new enticing menu items. The owners are Ozumo Concepts International. The night I was there they had a complete buyout that started at 8pm, so you know things are pretty successful.

The interior is very modern, with a great square bar in the middle of the room. It was a few weeks before Christmas, so they had falling snowflakes projected on the wall, also they have great art on the walls. In the corner there is a sushi bar. They have a stage for their entertainment, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A lot of families, couples, larger parties, all having a blast, and enjoying their food. The music they play is ambient, club type but not loud, adds to this hipster spot.

Here’s What I Tried:

Vodka Martini, nice martini glass, great icy cocktail.

Kozara /Small Dishes:

Hanabi, yellowtail sashimi, avocado, warm jalapeno-ginger ponzu. I ate the whole plate, just saying!

Bacon Hotate, skewered bacon wrapped scallops, cherry tomatoes, teriyaki. I love scallops, so I was all over this scrumptious appetizer.

Tempura:

Ozomo Shrimp, with fried white shrimp, yuzu-honey aioli, micro greens, shichimi. If you are a shrimp lover like I am then this shrimp will be the perfect thing to order for you.

Shareables:

Gindara, grilled miso marinated black cod, pea tendril, soy glaze. It’s like candy, super flaky moist fish with a lovely glaze, just spectacular.

Sushi:

Roro/Blue Fin Tuna, the freshest tuna and great smooth flavor.

Botan Ebi/Fresh Water Prawn, they give you the raw and prawn and the cook the heads, which is another treat all in itself.

Local Uni/Sea Urchin, his has got to be the best Uni I have ever had, its just pure and creamy, amazing.

Unagi/Freshwater Eel, a sweet terrific fish, a must have.

Sake:

Dewazakura Daiginjo “Mountain Cherry”. A nice semi sweet but super smooth hot Sake, of course went great with any of the sushi.

Dewazakura Junmai Daiginjo Gensho “Captains Table”. A deeper aroma, with nice fragrant notes, like fine wine, it is worth every penny.

I really had the best time at Ozumo, it was a very delicious tasting, and I would comeback every time I am in San Jose!

Ozumo Santana Row
355 Santana Row #1010
San Jose, CA 95128
408.886.3090

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